El Baradei not confirmed as Egypt prime minister

Egypt's media advisor said Saturday that Mohamed El Baradei had not taken up the post of interim prime minister, despite a number of media reports that he had been chosen for the post

Newly-appointed presidential media advisor Ahmed El-Moslimany said late Saturday that Egypt's premiership was still vacant, dismissing earlier reports that liberal politician Mohamed El Baradei had taken up the job.

"There are still consultations on who will be Egypt's prime minister," El-Moslimany, who was appointed presidential media advisor earlier the same day, told an impromptu press conference held at Cairo's Ittihadiya presidential palace.

He went on to say that ElBaradei was still in talks with interim president Adly Mansour.

The press conference at which El-Moslimany spoke was unscheduled. It replaced another that had been expected to be chaired by Mansour and ElBaradei to unveil the latter as new premier.

"Mansour has received ElBaradei among others for consultations over the post of prime minister," El-Moslimany added.